The Summer solstice means a good deal of things to some, while most people may not even know what it is and when it happens. Suffice it to say, it is a significant part of the cycle of life on earth.
It has been observed in the past as a magical time in life and deified as such in some cultures for good reason, both religious and as a marker for growing of food. In essence, it is that time during a year when the sun peaks in the sky.
Depending on the hemisphere of the planet you live in, it happens once a year, when the sun stops in the sky for one day before it begins to drop again until the next year. All because our planet tilts on its axis to such a degree that each hemisphere gets a full dose of sunlight before it tilts back for another annual cycle.
This year it will occur in the Northern hemisphere on June 21st, a day also know as the June Solstice.
It is considered a time of renewal, rebirth and awareness in many cultures, and of note here, it has been designated by the United Nations General Assembly as the International Yoga Day. Who knew?
The six thousand year old physical, mental and spiritual practice that started in India, Yoga aims to transform the mind and body for the betterment of the person who practices it and in turn, the world they live in.
The practice of Yoga is all about harmony between man/woman and nature acting in a positive and holistic activity to achieve well-being and harmony with one self and the world around us, thus our connection to nature.
In the words of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said to the UN in 2014 in support of the declaration:
“Yoga is an invaluable gift of India’s ancient tradition. It embodies unity of mind and body; thought and action; restraint and fulfillment; harmony between man and nature; a holistic approach to health and well-being. It is not about exercise but to discover the sense of oneness with yourself, the world and the nature. By changing our lifestyle and creating consciousness, it can help us deal with climate change. Let us work towards adopting an International Yoga Day.”
In yogic lore, the first transmission of Yoga by Shiva, the third Hindu god of their religious triumvirate, was said to have defined this time of year as an ideal time to pursue spiritual practices.
Hey, who knows… but if you are looking for an excuse to start a rebirth of your life, the Summer solstice is as good a time as any. So turn your face to the sun (as the earth does) respect that this tiny blue ball that we live on, this small, fragile island in a sea of space, time and stars, in a vast universe of wonder and beauty, is all we have. So make the most of it in a positive way and let us all work to maintain life in harmony and peace.
